10 Common Gardening Terms — and What They MeanEvery discipline has its own lingo and gardening is no different. While gardeners are a friendly bunch, many beginners are a little daunted by the terms they hear tossed around by veterans and may be afraid to ask for a definition

Compost is decomposed organic matter that has been allowed to reach a rich, dark state so that it can be added to soil to improve and enrich it. Good compost helps keep the soil balanced and aerated, encourages earthworm activity, loosens clay soil and lets sandy soil hold water.